Trump: More weapons heading to Ukraine, including possible new Patriot system

President Donald Trump said that the U.S. will send additional weapons to Ukraine, just days after ordering a sudden pause in key arms deliveries — a decision that drew concern from Kyiv and its allies.

“We have to,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “They have to be able to defend themselves. They’re getting hit very hard now.”

The reversal comes as Russian strikes intensify, with more than 1,270 drones, 39 missiles, and nearly 1,000 glide bombs fired at Ukraine in the past week, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Recent attacks have killed at least 11 civilians and injured over 80, including children.

According to a Wall Street Journal report published shortly before Trump’s remarks, The White House is now considering sending an additional Patriot air-defense system to Ukraine to help counter the surge in Russian aerial assaults.

The Pentagon confirmed late Monday that it would resume shipments — including air defence and precision-guided munitions — at Trump’s direction, even as the administration continues reviewing global arms transfers under its “America First” defence priorities.

Trump’s public frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin has grown. Speaking at a White House dinner with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said: “I’m not happy with President Putin at all.”

The president has held off on fresh sanctions but authorised Senator Lindsey Graham to move forward with legislation imposing up to 500% tariffs on goods from countries buying Russian oil — a move that would hit China and India hard.

Meanwhile, Russia is reeling from internal turmoil. Transport Minister Roman Starovoit was found dead hours after Putin dismissed him, in what officials say was likely suicide. Russian media links his dismissal to a corruption probe tied to the Kursk region's failed fortification projects.

Despite the military pressure, Trump insists his goal remains a swift end to the war: “We’re going to send some more weapons — defensive weapons primarily — while we work to secure a lasting peace and ensure the killing stops.”

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